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Background:

• A three-movement work for orchestra written from 1914 to 1915. It was revised in 1916, 1917 to 1919. The first version was premiered by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sibelius on 8 December 1915; Sibelius’ birthday.
• It was commissioned by the Finnish Government in honour of Sibelius’ 50th birthday, which was declared a national holiday.
• The final version, one of the most commonly performed today, premiered on 24 November 1919.
• During his creative process, Sibelius wrote in his diary: “It was as though God the Father was throwing pieces of mosaic from the edge of heaven and asking me to figure out what the pattern was.” Symphony No. 5 is the only Sibelius’ symphony where every movement is in a major key.

Recordings:

• The Complete Symphonies, Orchestral Works.
  Halle Orchestra.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Sir John Barbirolli.
  Warner Classics.

• Symphony No. 5, Two Serenades, Two Serious Melodies, Swanwhite.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
  Nicholas Collon.
  Ondine.
  BBC Music Magazine (2025): Orchestral Choice.
  Gramophone Magazine (2025): Editor’s Choice.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2025): Finalist.

• Symphonies 1 – 7.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Orchestre de Paris.
  Paavo Jarvi.
  RCA.
  International Classical Music Magazine (2019): Nominee Symphonic Music.
  Opus Klassik Awards (2019): Winner Conductor of the Year.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2019): Finalist.

• The Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
  Okko Kamu.
  +BIS.
  BBC Music Magazine (2015): Orchestral Choice.
  Presto Recording of the Week (2015(.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2015): Finalist.

• The Seven Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Wiener Philharmoniker.
  Lorin Maazel.
  DECCA.

• Sibelius.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Oslo Philharmonic.
  Klaus Makela.
  DECCA.
  BBC Music Magazine (2022): Recording of the Month.
  Gramophone Magazine (2022): Editor’s Choice.
  Gramophone Magazine (2022): Critics’ Choice.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2022): Finalist.
  BBC Music Magazine Awards (2023): Nominated Orchestral.
  International Classical Music Magazine Awards (2023): Nominated Symphonic Music.

• Symphonies 1 – 7.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Berliner Philharmoniker.
  Sir Simon Rattle.
  International Classical Music Awards (2016): Winner Symphonic Music.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2026): Top Choice Symphony No. 5.

• Sibelius & Saraste, The 7 Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 5.
  Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.
  Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
  Ondine.
  Gramophone Magazine (2026): Editor’s Choice.

• Complete Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 5.
  BBC Philharmonic.
  John Storgards.
  Chandos.
  Gramophone Awards (2015): Finalist Orchestral.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2015): First Choice.

• Symphony No. 5 (Original 1915 Version) & En Saga, Op. 9 (Original 1892 Version).
  Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
  Osmo Vanska.
  BIS.
  Gramophone Awards (1996): Winner Engineering.

• Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5.
  Minnesota Orchestra.
  Osmo Vanska.
  BIS.

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.